10 Reasons For Getting Out Of Bed Every Day

This has been a hard year. Many people have those kinds of moments, days and even months. Some, like my family, even have those kinds of years. If there is one thing I have learned from this devastating year it is to keep going. Even when it seems impossible. There is always a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

1. My mom

I want my mom to know I am trying. I try so hard and some days I don't win, and that's okay too. But my mom reminds me every day we have to keep pushing on and live our lives. So when I'm struggling to get up in the mornings I think of her. I think of all she has been through and remind myself "if she can do it, so can I."

2. My sisters

My sisters have been through just as much as I have. If they see me struggling and not doing anything then I am setting a bad example for them. I need to be strong and remind them it's okay to be weak but we also need to keep moving and remember who we are as people. I love those girls and would go to the ends of the earth for them.

3. My friends

My friends keep me going and active. They give me reasons to do things, which gets me up and moving during the day. They let me cry and scream when I have had enough and they let me sit in silence when the world is to much. The make me laugh until it hurts and they help me make the best memories to cover up the ugly ones. I would be no where without my friends.

4. That's what my dad would want

Daddy never wanted anyone to be sad. He wanted to be propped up next to the jukebox with a cold beer in his had. I try to make him proud every day, even though I know he already is.

5. School

I want to me and educator so bad. Despite how much crap keeps getting thrown at me I love going to class, I love learning new things that I can use to apply to my future students. It is one thing that excites me every day.

6. My Girl Scout troop

I loved being a scout. I was a scout for 10 years and now I have the honor of being a leader to beautiful, intelligent, inquisitive, young super stars who will change the world. Seeing them every Friday and teaching them new things and learning and growing with them is beautiful.

7. My Odyssey team

Being Editor in Chief for Ohio University's Odyssey Team has broadened my experiences and tested my abilities. Communicating with my team and being apart of something special and creative has given me a new outlook on life. I get to read my creators experiences and I get to help them be the best they can be and it helps me be the best person I can be and learn from them.

8. My future students

I have already learned a lot in my education courses and I know I have much more to learn. Part of being an excellent educator is being able to bring experience to your classroom, and I want my students to know that it is okay to struggle and need help. But you also need to remember to keep yourself grounded as well, so the world doesn't crumble around you.

9. Myself

I know that I am greater than whatever battle is playing inside of my head and my body. I can overcome and defeat whatever aggression is trying to destroy me. I don't care if they medicate me to help me, I will still remind myself every day of who I am and why I am greater than what is happening.

10. Everyone watching me

I have this desire to prove to everyone that I can do this. That I can put on a mask and pretend to be okay so the whispering and pointing will stop. So everyone will stop hugging me and giving me the "I'm sorry" looks. I want them to know that I don't need that. I am okay, even when I'm not, and I know they are watching, and they will never see me stumble.

Life is hard, and we are so strong. But sometimes we all need a reminder on why we keep on keeping on. Don't be afraid to cry darlings, and don't be afraid to give a big middle finger in the air to everyone watching you. I believe in you, and I know we can survive.

50 Common Pet Peeves

Pet peeves - those little annoyances that get under our skin and we just can't ignore, no matter how hard we try. Although everyone has their own unique pet peeves, there are a number of things which most people can't stand. Not only do we hate these things, but we love to bond over how much we hate them. It is surprising how entertaining it is to think of all the habits and activities that drive us mad. Take a second to think of your pet peeves. Now read on and see if any appear on this list of 50 common pet peeves (and be reminded of those pet peeves you forgot you have)! Share with friends and see how many people can't stand the same things as you!

Slow walkers.

The word “moist.”

When a computer or phone won’t load a page fast enough.

People who talk loudly on the phone.

Noisy eaters.

People who talk while their mouth is full.

Couples who sit next to each other (instead of across from each other) in a booth.

Having to repeat yourself multiple times.

When the toilet seat is left up.

When someone leaves the water running.

When a light is left on in a room that isn’t being used.

When someone messes with the car radio or AC without asking the driver for permission.

Whiners.

Slow drivers.

Rude drivers.

Sunlight creeping in through the window in the morning.

When someone says “gross,” “ew,” “yuck,” or something else along those lines in reaction to a food you like.

Being chased down the stairs – When you are walking at a decent pace, but the person behind you is late getting somewhere, and they are barreling down the stairs after you. You start fast walking and pray that they pass by you, because you don’t want to die by stairway collision.

When people sneeze or cough without covering their mouths.

When motorcyclists or truck drivers rev their engines unnecessarily.

When your door is closed, then someone walks into the room, but leaves the door open when they exit.

When you’re in a public bathroom but there is no toilet paper in the stall.

Buzzing noises.

When you’re watching TV and someone turns on the garbage disposal, blender, vacuum, or another loud appliance.

When nail polish chips or smudges right after you had your nails done.

When someone says, “You wouldn’t believe what just happened,” and then they refuse to tell you.

When someone bashes your favorite book/movie/show, but they’ve never even read/watched it.

When you need an outlet to charge something, but there are none available or none exist.

When you are wearing sunglasses or prescription glasses and the bridge of your nose builds up sweat and grease.

When someone wakes you up in the middle of the night or ungodly early in the morning and asks, “Oh, did I wake you up?”

When you have a roommate who is addicted to the snooze button, or who doesn’t wake up to their alarms, but you wake up…every…single…time.

Slow elevators.

When people stand too close to you in line so that they’re breathing down your neck. They inch closer and closer to the point that you feel claustrophobic, even when you typically aren’t.

When people bite or pick their nails and it makes a loud *click* noise.

Not Having The 'Picture Perfect' Body Shape Doesn't Mean You Can't Wear A Bikini

Summer has finally come again and it's now the time where everyone regrets not working out to get their "perfect" summer body. I'm here to say that these summer bodies everyone has been talking about are an unhealthy way to look at yourself and can hurt one's body image. If you're a size zero, that's great for you. If you're not a size zero, that is still great for you. There is no defined size that is required to wear a bikini during the summer, and there shouldn't be these unrealistic society norms on who can and can't wear them.

My entire life I was never worried about my size or how I look in a clothing item such as a bathing suit during the summer. I had always maintained a small figure from being active in grade school all the way through high school. Now that I am in college with no daily or weekly (and sometimes even monthly) exercise routine, I have gained weight and started to feel self conscious in what I look like in certain items that show my stomach. I don't look like the swimsuit models that are posted all over Instagram and started to feel that when summer came along I shouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit or a shirt that showed any part of my stomach. I was beginning to feel bad about my body image because I didn't have the body shape or size that is considered to be a "society norm" and let it get to me. This is when I knew I needed to change my mindset, and not my physical appearance.

Just because someone isn't a certain size doesn't mean they should be shame into not wearing something they like or makes them feel good about themselves. Summertime is all about being in the sun at the beach or at the pool and getting a tan and getting in the water. This things require a swimsuit of some sort. The size and shape of someone's body shouldn't put a restriction on what type of bathing suit they choose to wear, and no one should comment on how they look in it in a negative manner. For some people, it's hard to lose weight just as it is hard for some people to gain weight. Society is always making remarks about girls being "too small" or "too big" or comments that are similar to those and it's putting a negative effect on how women view themselves which makes it harder for them to have a sense of self love.

Let a woman feel good about herself in what she's wearing no matter her size and leave the rude comments to yourself. Whether she is a size 0 or greater, she is still adding beauty into the world. If you want to wear a bikini, then do it. Don't let the negative people in society harshen your summertime fun.